Southeast Pressures Lions for win

​The 5th-seeded Southeast of Saline Trojans stepped up and made their way to the Friday night semi-finals with a very convincing 54-21 win over the Lyons Lions Thursday night in the first round of the Sterling Invitational Basketball Tournament.
      Taking advantage of their length and quickness, the Trojans set out on a 16-0 first quarter advantage. Lyons would get on the board with back-to-back buckets early in the second quarter, but the damage was already done.
      With a 48-15 lead going into the final eight minutes, the contest finished with a running clock in the fourth quarter.  For the game, Lyons finished with 33 turnovers to just nine for Southeast.
      The Trojans, 4-4 on the season, were led by Brenton Leeds with 14 points and six rebounds.  The Lions were led by Xavier Solis with 11 points and nine rebounds.
      Southeast advances into a semi-final matchup with Sterling at 7:30 pm on Friday.  Lyons, 3-6 overall, will meet Smoky Valley at 3:00 pm.  Both games will be played in the Gleason Center at Sterling College. (Dwight Nichols)